How do you factor #y=x^3-x^2-4x+4 #?

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Answer 1 · 2015-12-13T19:26:06

#y= (x-2)(x+2)(x-1)#

Set the equation equal to zero

#x^3 -x^2 -4x + 4 = y#

Group

#(x^3-x^2 ) + (-4x +4) = y#

Factor the greatest common from each group

#=>x^2(x-1) -4(x-1)= y#

Factor out the greatest common factor from the expression

#=>(x^2-4)(x-1) = y#

Factor the difference of square #(a^2-b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)#

#=>(x-2)(x+2)(x-1)= y#